Before there was Charlize Theron, there was Juliet Prowse — a long-limbed dancer from Cape Town who took on Hollywood, lit up the Las Vegas stage, and won the hearts of two of the biggest names in showbiz: Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. Now, thanks to her namesake and niece, Juliet’s incredible story is finally told in Juliet Prowse: Born to Dance — a newly released biography and one of Exclusive Books’ recommended titles for May.

Juliet Prowse was more than just a pretty face. As South African theatre producer Pieter Toerien put it, “Juliet really was a superstar.” She was named Female Entertainer of the Year in Las Vegas four times, in an era dominated by the likes of Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli, and Shirley MacLaine. At her peak, she signed a $1 million Vegas contract in the mid-1970s — making her one of the highest-paid dancers in the world at the time.

Her life played out like a movie. Juliet left South Africa at just 17, determined to pursue a dance career. Rejected by classical ballet schools in London, she pivoted to cabaret and eventually caught the eye of Hermes Pan, Fred Astaire’s choreographer. That chance encounter launched her into the Hollywood spotlight with a role in Can-Can, where she met Frank Sinatra. Their on-set flirtation became tabloid fodder when Sinatra kissed her unexpectedly in a scene — and a headline-making engagement soon followed.

Shortly after, Juliet co-starred with Elvis Presley in G.I. Blues. Their chemistry was electric, and although she remained in love with Sinatra, she described being “giddy” over Elvis in letters to her mother — letters that remained hidden for over 25 years.

The biography, written by her niece Juliet, is built on over 1,000 letters and news articles, plus interviews with more than 20 dancers and colleagues who performed with Prowse in productions like Mame and Sweet Charity — shows that earned her critical acclaim in both London and Vegas.

Far from being defined by the men she dated, Prowse was a powerhouse in her own right. She broke away from her restrictive 20th Century Fox contract and founded her own production company, running a 20-person Las Vegas stage show that showcased her fierce independence and trailblazing spirit — especially in a male-dominated industry.

She later married John McCook, best known as Eric Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful, but continued to battle the challenges that came with being a high-earning woman in the spotlight.

At its core, Juliet Prowse: Born to Dance is not just about celebrity or scandal — it’s a rich, emotional journey of a South African girl who made it big on the world stage. It’s about ambition, resilience, fame, and identity. And it’s a powerful reminder that sometimes the world’s biggest stars can come from the most unexpected places.

All photos sourced from Juliet Prowse: Born to Dance. See more about the book and author below: